Should I file a claim?
If you have comprehensive coverage, or a specific glass coverage option, you can file a claim to cover your windshield repair cost.
However, before filing a claim, you should carefully weigh the following questions:
- How high is your insurance deductible?
- What is the repair cost for your chipped or cracked windshield?
- Will your car insurance premium increase if you submit a claim?
Depending on the answers to the questions above, you might decide that the costs outweigh the benefits of filing a claim.
Any claim, regardless of the cost, may cause your premiums to jump. In insurance circles, this is referred to as a surcharge.
Most auto insurance providers won’t apply a surcharge to a windshield claim, but if your insurance provider recognizes a pattern of frequent auto repair claims, you may be reclassified as a high-risk driver and experience a spike in your premiums.
If your deductible is high and/or your repair costs are relatively low, you might wish to pay out of pocket in order to avoid adding a claim to your car insurance history.
Will checking my deductible or inquiring about auto glass claims raise my insurance rates?
Asking your insurance provider about your policy coverage and deductibles is generally not considered a claim. To be certain, please refer to your insurance policy.
Will filing an auto glass claim count towards my insurance policy?
In many cases, insurance companies will not count auto glass damage as a claim on your policy. To be certain, please refer to your policy or contact your agent and/or insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage.
What if I only have liability coverage?
Because liability insurance only provides coverage for damages to another vehicle, auto glass services are not covered under your liability policy. Safelite® offers multiple payment options including cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Will all insurance companies waive my deductible if my windshield is repaired rather than replaced?
Many insurance companies cover windshield repair at 100% coverage with no deductible. A Portsmouth Glass representative will be happy to help you with your questions regarding insurance coverage.
Call us at 757-397-4687 for more information. Contact your agent and/or insurance provider or refer to your insurance policy to confirm your specific coverage.
What if my deductible is the same or more than the auto glass service?
You can pay for the work yourself. Portsmouth Glass offers multiple payment options including cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Do I need to contact my agent or insurance company before I contact Portsmouth Glass?
No, we can do that for you. We’re experts at verifying coverage, filing the claim and handling all the paperwork. In many cases, we have coverage information available online. If not, we’ll contact your insurance company and submit the claim on your behalf.
